Nashville-Style Guitar

Genre and Style Guitar Course from Brent Mason

  1. Home
  2. Guitar Lessons
  3. Genres

  4. Country

Fingerpicking, rhythm, gear, soloing, the Nashville number system...learn it all from one of the most recorded guitarists in history: A-list session player, Brent Mason!

22 Lessons

Complete course with step-by-step lessons and practice examples.

Multi-Camera

Course filmed with 6 cameras for the perfect angles.

89% Appoval

450 of 476 of our members have given this their approval.

Tabs & Info

Download tabs, helpers, JamTracks and docs included with lessons.

Included

Access this course, along with all other courses with Membership.

Full Course Breakdown

Country music at its finest. Learn to groove in the country style, challenge yourself with some Brent Mason fingerpicking, and just try to make it all the way through one of the FIVE complete solos that Brent has prepared for you in this series. Get to work!

Begin the Course
1

Series Introduction

Learn Nashville style country guitar from one of the most recorded guitarists in history. Check out rhythm grooves, solos, country pickin' and a glimpse into the life of an A-list Nashville session player!

3:14 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

View this Lesson
2

Guitars, Tone & Gear

Brent takes you through how his tools have changed and evolved over the years, from the first guitar he used in a Nashville session to his new signature model. He also talks amps and effects and discusses which types of setups he prefers for different kinds of music. He gives some great demonstrations of different tones and explores different delay styles.

24:34 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

3

Brent Mason Style Fingerpicking

Brent breaks down his unique fingerpicking technique, teaches a few exercises you can do to get your fingers in shape, and talks about his fingernails. If you're not an experienced fingerpicker, make sure you learn and practice the exercises in this lesson before moving on to his later lessons!

8:23 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

4

Country Shuffle

Brent presents his first of many rhythm grooves, the Country Shuffle. Get this one down, play it with the backing track, and make it your own!

8:53 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

5

Add Some Licks to the Country Shuffle

Brent Mason builds on the groove in the last lesson by showing how you can maintain great rhythm playing while adding tasteful, rhythmic licks into the mix. This is a delicate art, because you want to choose parts that don't conflict with other band members or the original rhythm part.

6:12 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

6

Moderate Train Beat

In the second rhythm groove in Brent Mason's series, learn to play like Brent when he played with Alan Jackson. This one's got a bit more to it than the Country Shuffle and will really get you in the feel of modern country!

13:37 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

7

Moderate Train with Licks

You've played the rhythm part. Now, you can join Brent Mason in playing three different licks or embellishments that can be added to the rhythm. Some are fast, and some are slow, but they all require a good amount of precision to pull off authentically.

10:26 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

8

Country/R&B

Learn how to take a basic chord progression and inject some country-tinged soul into it. Brent Mason shows how a simple idea played with the right attitude or vibe can be extremely catchy and powerful.

9:07 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

9

Country/R&B Licks

In the groove yet?...Good! Now add some tasty embellishments to your modern country / R&B flavored playing. Let Brent Mason show you how!

9:01 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

10

Thoughts on Songwriting

Brent Mason discusses his role in the songwriting process. He talks about tailoring your playing to the type of artist you are playing for and really trying to focus on what that artist is as a whole. He also touches on creating your own original songs and the power of collaboration.

7:14 Runtime

1.0 Difficulty

11

Eagles Style Country Rock

Start rockin' Eagles style with this familiar country rock groove. It may be simple, but pay attention to the soul behind the notes. How you play it makes all the difference!

5:29 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

12

Eagles Style Country Rock Licks

Building on the simple, rockin' rhythm groove of the last lesson, Brent Mason injects 3 simple licks or embellishments that are sure to make heads turn! What ever you do, don't lose the groove!

5:04 Runtime

2.5 Difficulty

13

The Business of Being a Session Player

Brent Mason discusses how he got started as a session player and how the job has changed over the years. He also offers some tips and advice for those interested in becoming session players.

20:31 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

14

Fast Train

Country rhythm school with Brent Mason continues with one of the trademarks of his career, the "Fast Train". You'll be boot scootin' and jammin' like Alan Jackson in no time!

12:41 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

15

Fast Train Licks

Brent Mason adds 3 little embellishments to the Fast Train rhythm from the last lesson to spice up the groove. Make sure you have the basic rhythm down before trying to work these ideas in!

5:50 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

16

Practicing & Listening

Brent Mason takes you back in time to when he was first learning to play. He reminisces about how he used to have to try and figure out songs, his early influences, and offers advice on listening--the key ingredient to his success as a musician.

9:16 Runtime

0.5 Difficulty

17

JamPlay Country Solo #1

Brent Mason heads back to the country shuffle track used earlier in the series and presents the first of 5 complete solos written exclusively for JamPlay! Mason demonstrates the whole solo and explains the 3 key licks that encapsulate the feel of the piece. Get those licks down, and then tackle the whole solo!

13:14 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

18

JamPlay Country Solo #2

Your fingers are gonna have to speed up a bit in this solo played over the "Moderate Train" groove. Remember to pace yourself and get each section down before moving on to the next.

11:43 Runtime

3.5 Difficulty

19

The Nashville Number System

Brent Mason gives a bit of history on how the Number System became the standard in Nashville and explains the cryptic shorthand he uses to make the music happen. Also, download Nashville charts that Mason used in a real session! See if you can figure them out.

8:08 Runtime

2.0 Difficulty

20

JamPlay Country Solo #3

Reaching deep down into his soul, Brent Mason gives us a little more modern country/R&B. There aren't as many notes here, but getting the right tone out of each note is really the focus with this one.

11:02 Runtime

3.0 Difficulty

21

JamPlay Country Solo #4

Brent Mason gets FUNKY! Combine chicken pickin' fun with some serious jazz-influenced "outside" playing. This one'll give your fingers and brain a workout!

11:02 Runtime

4.0 Difficulty

22

JamPlay Country Solo #5

This is the grand finale! It's Brent Mason's longest and trickiest solo of all played over the fast train track. There's a lot of ground to cover here, from fast chicken pickin' to long legato runs. Have fun!

13:57 Runtime

4.5 Difficulty

Let's Start. Together.

Setup your account and explore our courses, teaching tools and resources.

Get Started

Brent Mason

450
  • Nashville, TN
  • Playing since 1964
  • 22 lessons at JamPlay
Begin Course
Take lessons from one of the most recorded guitarists in history! Brent Mason has appeared on thousands of country albums and his name has become synonymous with "session musician".

Learn country rhythm grooves, dive in to the Nashville Number system and challenge yourself with some quick, fingerpickin' solos. Country music doesn't get more authentic than this! Come in and take some lessons from Brent Mason.
Reviews & Feedback 89/100 with 476 ratings
NickStar3351

Brent Mason is such a great Guitarist, I like trying to learn his style. He comes acroos as being honest, humble, passionate, and a fellows who doesn't throw it in your face. I hope he continues to teach for Guitar Jam. P.S. the Beta works on m

dirtmanmike2

I woul love to meet Brent and run with him a while, I just turned 68 and by his picking and playingI found out I still can learn! Thanks Mike Roberts

Pach907

Brent is one of my all time favorite guitar players. It is amazing to find him on here offering a little insight into his style. Thanks Brent, and God Bless brother.

philbilly

Brent is great need more of him!!!!!

azpicker

Brent is my favorite by far. His lessons are clear, concise, and easy to follow. I've been playing for 40 years and got into country a few years ago. I've found Brent's style to be the classy way to go.

jhjam

i am having trouble with video today, it was working when i joined but not anymore what is the problem?

foxboy

Just an awesome inspiring. attitude-rich style to learn from.

hybridrocknroll

Brent is the absolute man. Love the camera angles, and he's not going crazy explaining theory that goes waaaay over my head.

david inman

Teacher has a good way of explaining the what he's doing on the guitar.

leo_montano

great lesson, simple but powerful with a lot of applications on music

capebouy

One of the worlds best. Great teacher.......greater player!!!!!

rockman88

This guy rocks. His phrasing and riffs are clean, innovative and interesting.

rod.painting

Great teacher and player. Well done.

rkennedy613

do I have to have long finger nails on my picking hand to play this style?

drug77

awesome course. i lov it.

martinvaz7

Trying to improve on my country skills and this is just perfect.

BobbyCline7253

I get lost sometimes on which fingers Brent uses to pick with when he goes across the fretboard doing licks. Did I miss something or I must just be slow. I could just sit and listen to Brent play.

tagaston

Brent is "down to earth" and not pretentious, I will do my best to follow what he says. Plus, he's fun to listen to, there's a lot going on when he plays! Not boring at ALL. I've got his tutorial video too. He plays Western Swing / Jazz just fa

guitarmandan45

good stuff

saddleman

Great advice.

fdicenso

Brent Mason is an outstanding player. I am enjoying his presentation style, and look forward to gaining a better understanding of "Chicken Picking" AND the Nashville Number System. Thanks Brent. Great Job - and thanks for sharing.

Bonzodog

Great to have the demos to show how it can sound once the lesson material has been mastered

Brian green

Great solo

Hellbender

Brent Mason really shows some good technique and styles in this series. I would really love to see another series from Brent that continues to break down the "Nashville" style guitar.

Imdilly02

I'm love Mr. Mason's style of guitar picking. It has inspired me to start practicing again! Thanks Mr. Mason

SbDougC

This is the kind of music I want to be able to play and how (finger-style) I want to play it

yowceliani

great playing!! cool guy

chemanue

cool guy!!

Sharne

Good teacher, ideas well laid out. As a working musician and teacher who needs to spend more time learning country I've found these lessons helpful. If there are small mistakes on occasions I'm not bothered - I like learning from human beings :

Aldan

Like listening to an old friend

ccollas

love it

cjaranda

need more like this

Dajmipokoj

So clean! So co0l!

Tuna1976

Brent is the best! Ray H

RubenGarayar22

Such a great mentor!

Robertoreyes

Most excellent teacher. I’ve learn more in a week than in the past year!!

Bergy

I like Brents teaching style and when the lesson starts out with what it should sound like when he plays it. I don’t like to wait until the end of the lesson for the teacher to start shedding it! I like the camera angles.

razzoo76

very easy to understand

mill2003

I like this teacher's style

guitarguy9

Brent is a genius and very down to earth in his teaching professionalism

derryhewett

Brent is awesome!

tccooper266

Great lesson would love to see more of these

nmorgan84

Really looking forward to this course!

billyl58

More of this style please